Andover Track, Brooksie Way Help Boston Marathon Bombing Survivors

As Americans, many of us felt the shock and sadness of last week's Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath. For runners, the impact hit home on a deeper level.

Local response to the tragedy announced this week include a benefit run and a donation from funds raised by runners:

Andover fundraising run/walk

Members of the Andover High School track team will host a 2.62-mile run/walk this Sunday at the school track to support One Fund Boston. The event begins at 8 a.m. and all donations are welcome. Baked goods will also be available for purchase.

"To be able to run is such an amazing feeling," said sophomore Sydney Roslin. "To have that feeling be transformed into terror and destruction is unbearable."

Coach Beth Sinclair said the team was motivated by hearing the heart-breaking stories coming from Boston as the city became gripped with terror following last Monday's tragic blast. The event was spur-of-the-moment.

"(It's) just a way for the community to come together and make a difference in light of last week's events, and since we run as a team it seemed like the perfect event," she said.

Those willing to help, but unable to attend Sunday are welcome to send a
check made out to One Fund Boston to Coach Sinclair at 4648 Rolling Ridge Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

Brooksie Way donates

The Brooksie Way foundation on Monday made a $2,500 donation to the One Fund Boston relief effort, established to support the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who is also chairman of The Brooksie Way foundation, said, “Runners, whether in Boston for the marathon or at Oakland University for The Brooksie Way, have a common bond and a mutual love and respect for each other.”

Four time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers is a member of the Brooksie Way Board of Directors as is Greg Meyer, last American male to win the Boston Marathon. Meyer and his sons ran this year’s in Boston. They were not injured. Both Rodgers and Meyer have participated in The Brooksie Way.